55 comments to (English) Rabies vaccine in Southeast Asia. Is it necessary? (1)

Hi, my toddler was just bitten by our cat. The bite punctured skin on his finger. We live in Chiang Mai. He was irritating the cat and that is why it bit him. We live near a farm and have a klong running behind our house. Should I be worried about the bite?

The main question is; can you really sure that your cat is not infected with rabies virus. If your cat has no rabies virus, so its bite will not pose any rabies risk. Generally speaking, if your cat is vaccinated annually without missing any doses and you’re sure that your cat is not exposed to another mammals, it is unlikely that your cat will have rabies virus.

You may notice that we do not consider the behaviour of your cat since it is not a reliable way to predict whether it carries rabies or not.

Anyway, as we always say, you need to go to see a doctor for professional evaluation. We cannot and will not give specific medical advice on any individual case.

Live in Bangkok, and in January i was bitten by a dog and get vaccin against rabies. 5 weeks ago happened this again by a rat, and got just one shoot booster, and today happened also by a dog (not very seriously).
Should go to see doctor or that booster from 4 weeks ago its enough solution? That time doctor mentioned that should get booster just if past 6 month from the last one.

I got bitten by a cat in phuket 2 days ago. Its tooth only grazed my skin but it was enough to break my skin. Last night i developed an ache in that arm and diarrhoea and vomiting. Should i get treated?

Hi. Currently staying at Surin Beach where I came into contact with cat saliva (don’t ask!) all over my hand. I washed it off immediately with soap and water a few times, the cat doesn’t seem sick (she’s a regular at the resort). I can’t see any obvious open cuts etc. on my hand, do I need a rabies shot? Thanks. If so, any suggestions where I can go that is nearby?

Contact with saliva on intact skin is WHO’s category I exposure, post exposure prophylaxis is not necessary. However, if cat saliva contact on broken skin is WHO’s category III, which needs rabies vaccine and immunoglobulin.

We’re sorry, we cannot give specific recommendation on individual case. We cannot decide whether your skin is intact or broken? Or you need rabies shot or not. If in doubt, please go to see a doctor.

Currently in Koh Pi Pi, Thailand. I was extradorinarly inebriated last night and a traveling companion of mine was bit by a small dog (not a stray dog). The bite was very small and in my unfortunate state, I tried to console her by sucking the wound like a snake bite. The wound was thoroughly washed prior to the sucking of said wound. Should I get the rabies vaccination?

A guesthouse cat bit me today when I accidently trod on it. I received a small puncture mark to my foot that drew blood. The owner showed me vaccination certificates for the cat. Should I trust that or go to the hospital?

Yesterday I was at a place that has many friendly stray cats in SanKampaeng, Chaing Mai. One playfully nipped my leg to beg for more attention. It just barely broke the skin and I immediately Cleaned it with rubbing alcohol. The spot is already gone, but should i be worried at all? The cats at the gym are all super sweet and there has never been any mention of rabies here.

I was bitten by a dog on koh Chang. I cleaned with water, alcohol then provadine. I went and had the first two injections at the hospital of the immonuglobin booster, due to unavailability I missed the third but am not to late for the fourth. Is it to late for the forth( or a waste of time) or both. I had no vaccination before this all happened.

I begin an extended trip to SE Asia and India very soon and have only now decided to get the pre-exposure rabies vaccine after being advised to do so by a travel doctor. Due to the last minute decision I will need to get the course on the road; I will have the first shot at home in the UK, the second in Bali and was hoping to get the third in Bangkok.

Does this seem ok? I have read that for the course to be effective, the 3 shots need to be the same type of vaccine; I am unsure what will be given here (but will find out before travelling) and know that we will be receiving Verorab in Bali. Also, how strict are the vaccine schedule timings for example, the schedule is 0, 7 and 28 but what if we were to have shots at 0, 7 and 26 – would the vaccine be effective still or would you advise to wait until 28th day?

1 All modern cell-cuture rabies vaccine can be use interchangable. In our clinic, we use verorab and rabipur. If we know which rabies vaccine that you get in the previous shot, we would give the same.

2.Rabies vaccine pre-exposure schedule, you could get on Day 0, 7, and 21. In fact, 21 days is the earliest day that you can get. So you can get it on day 26 without any problem. However, you still need to get two more boosters once you’re bitten or licked.

Do you know if they have Rabies vaccinations in Koh Samui? I will be there for a month after I land in Bangkok. I can get the first with you but will need to finish the course code to Koh Phanghan or Koh Samui.

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